Diary Of The Month (Press, 3 January 1983)

The news story, dated 3 January 1983, reflects a series of significant events that took place in July 1982. The Auditor-General, Mr Shades, approved government spending on the Clyde dam, a project that faced considerable public scrutiny. The new Minister of Works and Development, Mr Friedlander, had to contend with an irate crowd in Cromwell as the government began to unveil legislation related to the Clyde dam. Throughout July, various events unfolded. On July 4, thousands of Israelis protested in central Lebanon, amid the resignation of Defence Minister Mr Sharoni. That day also saw Martina Navratilova winning the Wimbledon title. One day later, Mr Friedlander announced that more jobs connected to the Clyde dam would be created within a week, while tennis player Jimmy Connors triumphed in the men's singles at Wimbledon. Labour leader Mr Rowling visited Cromwell and Clyde on July 6, coinciding with fierce battles between Israeli and Palestinian forces on the outskirts of Beirut. In sports, Brazil faced a dramatic loss to Italy in a World Cup match held in Spain. An unusual incident occurred on July 7, when an intruder entered the Queen's bedroom. Tensions escalated for the Labour party on July 9 when they failed to secure a deal with the government to maintain employment levels at the Clyde dam. Meanwhile, on July 10, the South Island rugby team defeated the North Island 22-12. Italy clinched the World Cup soccer final on July 12, while New Zealand achieved victory over Italy in a Davis Cup quarter-final. On July 13, the government struck a deal with the Social Credit party to allow work on the Clyde dam to proceed. Events continued to unfold with an unusual moment on July 15 as the government announced a housing package aimed at assisting low-income families and adverse weather conditions caused travel issues in the South Island. The rugby league series concluded on July 17 with Australia defeating New Zealand. The Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Begin, issued a deadline for the PLO to vacate Beirut, and the resignation of the Queen's personal bodyguard, Michael Trestrail, drew notable attention due to revelations about his personal life. On July 19, a Tongan overstayer was reunited with her breastfed baby in Auckland after they had been separated by police. A significant legal development arose on July 20 when the government began to analyse the implications of a Privy Council ruling which suggested that most of Western Samoa's population could be considered New Zealand citizens. The month continued with the Minister of Labour, Mr Bolger, attributing the impending closure of the Patea freezing works to the workers there. On July 26, Yasser Arafat of the PLO signed a document agreeing to all UN resolutions on the Palestinian issue. July 27 saw the crowning of Miss Canada as Miss Universe amid a public disagreement between the Prime Minister and the Auditor-General over financial management. Protests erupted on July 28 as nurses from Templeton and Sunnyside hospitals confronted a North Canterbury Hospital Board meeting concerning a dismissed nurse. Lastly, on July 30, the PLO accepted an Arab peace plan to withdraw from Beirut, and the month ended tragically with the deaths of 44 French children in a bus crash.

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